Paul Goldschmidt
The Diamondbacks' homegrown force: A first baseman who led the NL in slugging percentage before capturing the 2022 NL MVP with St. Louis.
Paul Goldschmidt is an American professional baseball first baseman who currently plays for the St. Louis Cardinals. Before joining the Cardinals, he was a cornerstone of the Arizona Diamondbacks from his debut in 2011 until his trade to St. Louis during the 2018–19 offseason. A seven-time All-Star and the 2022 National League MVP, Goldschmidt established himself as one of the premier first basemen in MLB history, winning multiple Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards—though three of his four Gold Gloves came with the Diamondbacks, and his MVP season was with the Cardinals.
- Accolades
- 7x All-Star, 4x Silver Slugger, 4x Gold Glove (3 with D-backs), 1x Hank Aaron Award, 2022 NL MVP (with St. Louis)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Goldschmidt's journey to stardom began with a light recruitment out of The Woodlands High School, where he helped win the Texas state championship in 2006 playing third base. After enrolling at Texas State University, he set career records with 36 home runs and 179 RBIs before being selected by the Diamondbacks in the eighth round of the 2009 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut on August 1, 2011, recording a hit in his first at-bat and hitting his first home run against Madison Bumgarner the following day. His rookie season included a memorable three-run home run in Game 3 of the 2011 NLDS, marking only the third by a rookie in MLB postseason history.
In Their Own Story
The 2013 season marked Goldschmidt's breakout into elite status, where he led the National League with 36 home runs and 125 RBIs while batting .302. He secured his first All-Star selection, Hank Aaron Award, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger in a single campaign. That year, he also set an MLB record with four walk-off hits. Although he finished second in MVP voting to Andrew McCutchen, his dominance was clear. In 2015, despite playing through a hand injury that ended his 2014 season prematurely, he returned to bat .321 with 33 home runs and led the league with 29 intentional walks, finishing as the NL MVP runner-up behind Bryce Harper for the second time in three seasons.
Reader's Guide
Fans can track Goldschmidt's statistical milestones by noting his ascent through the minor leagues, where he set a Missoula franchise record with 18 home runs and won the California League MVP. His progression to the majors saw him reach the 200th career home run on August 3, 2018, against Chris Stratton. By the end of his tenure in Arizona, his 1,088 games played, 209 home runs, and 710 RBIs placed him second in franchise history behind Luis Gonzalez. His final season with the Diamondbacks saw a dramatic turnaround after a slow start in May, where he batted .390 from June to July, earning his first NL Player of the Month Award.
Did You Know?
- Goldschmidt was initially selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 49th round of the 2006 MLB draft but did not sign.
- He hit three grand slams in a single season (2013), and as a rookie he hit a memorable three-run home run in Game 3 of the 2011 NLDS—only the third by a rookie in MLB postseason history.
- In 2015, he led all major leaguers with 29 intentional walks while batting .321 with 33 home runs.
- His father is Jewish and his mother is Catholic; Goldschmidt was raised Catholic but respects both sides of his family's heritage.
- Goldschmidt recorded his 1,000th career hit on September 13, 2017, in a game against the Colorado Rockies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Paul Goldschmidt?
He is an American professional baseball first baseman who served as a cornerstone for the Arizona Diamondbacks from his debut in 2011 until he was traded to St. Louis.
What awards did Goldschmidt win while with the Diamondbacks?
During his time in Arizona, he earned multiple Silver Slugger and Gold Glove honors along with several All-Star selections before leaving the franchise.
When did Paul Goldschmidt leave the Diamondbacks?
He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals during the offseason following the 2018 season after playing seven years in Arizona.
Did Paul Goldschmidt ever win an MVP award?
Yes, he captured the 2022 National League MVP award with the Cardinals, building on his status as one of the premier first basemen in MLB history.
Why is Goldschmidt significant to Diamondbacks club history?
He was a homegrown force who led the league in hits and power, earning multiple Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards while wearing the snake logo.